Spider-Man : Hunted

Part 3


Harry Osborn's eyes widened as he read his father's files on the human performance enhancers. According to Dr. Stromm's reports, some lab rats had reacted violently to the formula. Causing sickness, death and in some cases insanity. Despite this, the board of directors had certified the product ready for human testing. He shook his head. How could someone test a dangerous chemical at the risk of the test subject becoming ill, dying or going mad?

He started as the door was flung open and Peter came rushing back into his apartment.

" Where did you run off to? " Harry asked his friend, who was panting heavily.

" Oh, um I remembered I forgot to pay my phone bill, " Peter lied. " I had to rush to the post office to get it done before they cut it off. "

" Pete, you egghead! " Harry joked.

" So have you learned anything? " Peter asked, pointing to the laptop.

" Nah, " Harry lied and shut the portable computer. " Just some scientific mumbo jumbo. "

Peter scratched his head. " Well maybe you should let me take a look... "

" No! " Harry shouted. " It's confidential Oscorp documentation. It's none of your business. "

This wasn't like Harry. Peter knew he was hiding something, but decided to play along. " Okay, okay Harry, " he patted his friend on the shoulder. " Don't show it to me. But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. "

" Thanks Pete. For everything. " Harry smiled. " Oops, I better get going. "

" Got a big date? "

" Yes, with destiny! " Harry replied. He hurriedly said his goodbyes and left Peter wondering about his friend's strange behavious and secrecy. He shrugged and took out his Genetics books from his backpack. He had a lot of studying to do to prepare for class the next day. Doctor Connors wasn't exactly a happy camper with regards to Peter's attitude towards his class.


The elderly woman set out all her finest dishes and silverware for dinner. Her nephew and his girlfriend were coming over for supper, and she wanted everything to be just perfect. Without warning, May Parker's breathing became heavy and her chest weezed. Dropping the dish she was holding, it shattered to a hundred pieces and she grabbed onto the back of the dining room chairs to steady herself. As her breathing returned to normal, the woman sighed with relief, and went about cleaning the shards from the broken dish. " You're not a spring chicken anymore May, " she reminded herself.


" You about done yet, M.J? " Peter called from the living room of her apartment.

" Almost! " She shouted down the hallway. " You want me to look good, don't you? "

Peter grinned. " You'd look good wearing a sack, " he commented.

" You'd like that, wouldn't you? " Mary Jane came out of her bedroom smiling. She was wearing a simple black evening mini dress, with a gold necklace and matching earrings.

" Wow. " He was at a loss for words. " You look fantastic! "

" Thanks Tiger. " Mary Jane kissed him on the cheek. " You don't want to smudge my lipstick, do you? " She asked, answering his unspoken question.

" We'd better get going, " Peter said, looking at his wristwatch nervously. " You know how Aunt May fusses. "

" You wouldn't have her any other way, Peter and you know that, " Mary Jane nudged him in the ribs. " You like people fussing over you. "

They collected their coats and hailed a taxi to aunt May's house in Queens. Peter's Aunt was clearly pleased to see both of them looking so healthy and happy. " It's about time you two got together, " the woman said as they sat down to dinner. " You two make such a nice couple. "

Peter blushed. " Thanks, Aunt May. "

Mary Jane grinned at Peter's aunt. " We do make a cute couple, don't we, Aunt May? We could be on People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people list... "

" I don't know about me, but you definately could. " Peter said, looking into her eyes.

" Now, now you two... " Aunt May snapped them back to reality. " I'm sure you have plenty of time for romantic declarations on your own time. When you're in my house, you eat up! " She coughed, and clutched her chest.

Peter sprang up from his seat. " Aunt May? Are you alright? " He rushed to her side, but she put her hand out to stop him.

" Yes, yes dear... " she coughed again. " It's just a little flu. "

" Have you been to the doctor, Aunt May? " Mary Jane asked, also concerned.

The older woman shook her head vehemently. " No, doctors are just a waste of time. I'll be fine, really. "

Peter and Mary Jane eyed each other, concern showing in both their faces.

" Promise me you'll go to the doctor tomorrow morning, first thing. " Peter locked stares with his aunt as he sat down.

" If it will make you happy, I'll go. " Aunt May promised her nephew. " But it'll accomplish nothing. " she added as an afterthought.



" Osborn? " J. Jonah Jameson snapped at his secretary. " What does he want with me? "

" He asked for a private meeting with you, Mr. Jameson, " the pretty brunette replied.

" I don't have time to see him now, " the editor of the Daily Bugle replied, and turned his attention to the papers on his desk again.

A young man brushed past Betty Brant, folded his arms across his chest. " You might find this meeting interesting, " he said.

Jameson looked the young man in the eye. " Why is that, kiddo? " He asked, taking a long drag from his cuban cigar.

" It involves Spider-Man. "

Interest flared up in the editor's eyes. He dismissed the secretary with a wave of his hand. " Have a seat, " he gestured for Harry to sit down. " So, you want to talk about Spider-Man? " he asked, studying the youth carefully.

Harry nodded. " It's obvious from your editorials and articles that you believe him to be a menace to soceity. "

Jameson stood up from his swivel chair and looked out his 45th office story window. " You of all people should know this, Mr. Osborn. "

" He killed my father. " Harry stated. Jameson nodded. " I know. I heard your story at the press conference after your father's funeral. "

" I need your help, Mr. Jameson. " Harry pleaded. " I've come to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime. "

The two men talked for some time, Harry obviously had Jameson captivated by his reasonings and promises. Betty answered the call from Mr. Jameson, and agreed to hold all his telephone calls while the two men discussed business. An hour and a half later, Harry Osborn got up from his seat, and shook hands with the editor of the newspaper.

" Good to do business with you, Mr. Jameson, " Harry called over his shoulder as he left Jameson's office.

Robbie Robertson shot his boss a quizzical look from across the hall. Jonah beckoned for him to step into his office.

" What's up, Jonah? " Robbie asked, sitting down in the chair young Osborn had been in earlier.

" Robbie, " said proudly, " I've just bought 30% shares in Oscorp Industries. "

Robbie's eyebrows turned to question marks. " Why? "

" To ensure the end of a menace plaguing our city, " Jameson answered mysteriously. " The new research they're starting there is nothing short of revolutionary. "

" Why did Osborn come to you? " Robbie asked suspiciously.

" We share a common interest. Plus he needed to funding to by out Quest Aerodynamics. "

" So Oscorp is taking over Quest? "

" Bingo. " The editor looked pleased with himself. " The top scientific minds are headed back to Oscorp, where they will be working exclusively on Harry Osborn's new project. And because of my involvement, the Daily Bugle has exclusive coverage! "